Zlato Rizziolli, back, and Briawna Jackson play Sergius Saranoff and Louka in “Arms and the Man”. Photo via Greg Eliason.

Ashland, Ore. – The timeless and humorous play Arms and the Man opens Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at Southern Oregon University’s Center Stage Theatre. George Barnard Shaw combines romantic comedy, class system satire, and the futility of war in one of the most popular pieces to date. Taking place during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War, it deals with hypocrisies of human nature with wit and wisdom.

First produced on April 21,1894 and published in 1898, the play was one of Shaw’s first commercial successes and has carried his legacy all these years. The story presents realism versus romance and promotes examination beyond the simple truths of life. The play is directed by Jackie Apodaca, who also directed Marisol and La Terrasse for SOU in 2012. She was the Producing Director for Shakespeare Santa Barbara, is a current actor, and edits at the actors’ trade paper Back Stage.

Performances run Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 27 to March 1 and March 6 to March 8 at 8 p.m., and at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9. Tickets are $21 for general admission, $18 senior, and $6 student. Get them before they sell out! They can be purchased at the box office in the theatre arts building, open noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before each performance. They can also be bought over the phone at 541-552-6348 or online at sou.edu/performingarts with a credit card.